It depends on which sparring class we are in. In our tournament sparring class we use typical tournament taekwondo sparring rules. We are also doing street sparring this month, which will have some limited rules, including allowing punches to the head.

Sincerely,

Knowing it is not enough, we must apply.
Willing is not enough, we must do.

Knowing it is not enough, we must apply.
Willing is not enough, we must do.

Never approach a Bull from the front, a Horse from the rear, or a Fool from any direction!

Level of contact varies by individual, overall medium I'd say, some people go more, some less. You usually will go by the lowest common denominator.

One additional rule is that you are supposed to stop and acknowledge hits that if full force with no gear would at least briefly stun you, the thinking being that in that case the striker would be able to quickly follow up on the stunned opponent. The jury is still out on my feelings about this rule, though it is apparently common fare for asian martial arts.

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My single chopstick is bad at serving soup, cutting steaks and basting roasts and chickens. Besides that it owns.

One additional rule is that you are supposed to stop and acknowledge hits that if full force with no gear would at least briefly stun you, the thinking being that in that case the striker would be able to quickly follow up on the stunned opponent. The jury is still out on my feelings about this rule, though it is apparently common fare for asian martial arts.

"All this talk about 'newbies' is making me a little nervous. You guys don't have any sort of secret hazing initiation involving wooden paddles and me screaming 'Thank you sir, may I have another?!' do you?"

"All this talk about 'newbies' is making me a little nervous. You guys don't have any sort of secret hazing initiation involving wooden paddles and me screaming 'Thank you sir, may I have another?!' do you?"

the more you restrict your fighting the less you learn, but you must balance the need for quality experience with the appropriate safety margin.

dont strike the eyes.
dont strike the front of the throat. you can damage someone's windpipe.
dont hit the back of the neck. this attacks the back brain(medulla oblongata) and spinal column.
dont strike the testicles or perineum.
dont drop anyone on their neck or head.
dont 'crank' or 'whip' joint attacks

in general, take it easy on vital points. areas like the temple can be lethal, especially if you fight barehanded.

if someone loses their temper, end the match. it will just get shitty, and someone may get hurt.

personally, i never use gear. but that is not for everyone. one could pose a multitude of logical arguements in favor of protective gear, but i feel that any 'armour' is unrealistic, i dont walk around that way. i would however recommend that all involved wear cups. i dont, but that is me, i guard my ****.

kids should probably wear gear. once again when i was young i didnt, but unless they are pretty hardcore kids, they should have protection, especially the headgear.

fighting is not like tv or the movies. people cannot take 20 hits and keep fighting. one good shot will ace you. try to restrict more powerful strikes to the torso and legs.

and always be gentlemen about it. that doesnt mean dont fight, but dont be malicious, people tend to respond in kind.